Trump on Wednesday announced that he chose Matt Gaetz, the firebrand who has been a harsh critic of the Justice Department even as he was investigated by it, as attorney general.

He also tapped former congresswoman and Army veteran Tulsi Gabbard as his nominee for director of national intelligence, a cabinet-level post. Gabbard is a former Democrat who has become one of Trump's most vocal supporters.

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But there are still plenty of pivotal roles for Trump to fill as he prepares for a second term. He'll even have full control of Congress in 2025 after Republicans managed to win enough seats to keep the House on Wednesday.

Keep up with live updates from the USA TODAY Network.

Trump lawyer Alina Habba not interested in White House press secretary job

Donald Trump’s lawyer won’t be sparring with the press after all. At least not from the White House briefing room.

Alina Habba, who joined Trump’s legal team three years ago, ended speculation Thursday that she was in line to become White House press secretary when the president-elect takes office next year.

“While I am flattered by the support and speculation, the role of Press Secretary is not a role I am considering,” she wrote on X. “Although I love screaming from a podium I will be better served in other capacities.”

Habba has represented Trump in several high-profile legal cases, including author E. Jean Carroll’s defamation suit that ended in a $83.3 million verdict against him.

– Michael Collins

Elon Musk: John Bolton is 'staggeringly dumb' but Matt Gaetz is 'great'

Elon Musk, billionaire tech titan and friend of Donald Trump, is defending the president-elect’s nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general.

Musk pushed back against John Bolton’s criticism of Gaetz, a former Florida congressman, to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement officer. Bolton, who served for more than a year as national security adviser during Trump’s first term, called Trump’s choice of Gaetz as “the worst” Cabinet nomination in history.

“John Bolton, who is a staggeringly dumb warmonger, being against someone is a great sign!” Musk fired back in a message on X. “Gaetz will be great.”

Musk has landed a job of his own in the incoming Trump administration. Trump has tapped him and former Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, which will work to slash federal government spending, waste and regulations.

– Michael Collins

Nikki Haley: Donald Trump can be 'shallow' at times

Nikki Haley is hitting back at her old boss.

The former South Carolina Republican governor who served as Donald Trump’s first U.N. ambassador took a swipe at the president-elect after he announced she would not be given a job in his incoming administration.

“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump wrote last week on Truth Social. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country.”

Haley, who was highly critical of Trump during her own unsuccessful bid for the GOP presidential nomination earlier this year, said on her radio show on SiriusXM that, despite Trump’s public pronouncement, she had already made it known that she wanted no role in his new administration.

“I know the game he was playing," she said. "I don’t need to play that game." She later added: “He can be shallow at times, and I think he showed that.”

– Michael Collins

Matt Gaetz, Trump's pick for attorney general, resigns from Congress

Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to nominate the Florida Republican as attorney general.

Gaetz, a firebrand who represented Florida's 1st congressional district since 2017, submitted his resignation, effective immediately, on Wednesday following Trump’s decision to make him the country’s chief law enforcement officer.

Gaetz’s resignation came just days before the House Ethics Committee was to decide whether to release a report on its investigation into allegations he had engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use and had accepted improper gifts. Gaetz’s resignation effectively ends that investigation.

Gaetz also was investigated by the Justice Department, which Trump has tapped him to lead, on suspicion of having sex with a 17-year-old girl and allegedly paying for her to travel with him. The department ended its investigation last year without charging him.

– Michael Collins

Matt Gaetz attorney general nomination sparks criticism

Donald Trump's choice of Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general signaled a like-minded approach to overhauling the Justice Department after both men were investigated criminally.

But the choice also sparked some of the first criticism of Trump's cabinet selections, as senators questioned whether Gaetz would be a serious choice to become the country's top law enforcement official.

After Trump announced Gaetz's nomination, the Florida Republican resigned from office "effective immediately," setting a special election for the western Florida district in motion.

 

Check out USA TODAY's five takeaways from the surprising announcement.

- Bart Jansen

Trump picks Tulsi Gabbard as his director of national intelligence

Trump on Wednesday picked former congresswoman and Army veteran Tulsi Gabbard as his nominee for director of national intelligence, a cabinet-level post.

"I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community, championing our constitutional rights, and securing peace through strength," Trump said in a statement.

Gabbard was a Democrat when she served in the House of Representatives from Hawaii from 2013 to 2021. She ran for president in the Democratic primary in 2020 before leaving the party in 2022 and becoming a Republican this year.

− Tom Vanden Brook and Erin Mansfield

Marco Rubio given nod for Secretary of State

Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed he's chosen Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to serve as Secretary of State in his next administration.

Rubio has deep foreign policy experience and has transformed from a Trump opponent to a close ally who was a finalist to serve as Trump's vice president.

He is currently the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee and serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio, a Cuban American, would be the first Latino person to serve as Secretary of State.

Rubio has expressed support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia, but voted against additional aid for the country last year. He recently said the war in Ukraine is going to end with "a negotiated settlement," something Trump has also supported. He's also advocated for a tough approach to American adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.

Trump and Rubio, 53, ran against each other in the 2016 Republican primary, which turned nasty as they lobbed insults at each other. But they patched up their relationship and worked together on shared foreign policy goals during Trump’s first administration. They grew closer during the 2024 campaign, when Rubio was on the short list to be Trump’s running mate and campaigned relentlessly for him.

Do you ever wonder why some countries consistently top the happiness charts? It’s not just about wealth or natural beauty; it’s about how they build communities, support individuals, and embrace cultural values that foster genuine joy. Let’s talk about the world’s happiest countries to see what lessons they can teach us about creating a happier society.

How many delegates are competing in Miss Universe 2024?

Miss Universe 2024 involves a record field of contestants: in total, competitors from 127 countries are set to battle it out for the crown in the Mexican capital, where several nations will be making their debut in the pageant.

For the 2024 event, the Miss Universe Organization has widened the eligibility criteria, allowing all women over 18 to take part; previously, the contest was limited to participants aged 18 to 28.

Who are the Miss Universe 2024 contestants? Full list:

Albania - Franceska Rustem (19)

Angola - Nelma Ferreira (26)

Argentina - Magali Benejam (29)

Armenia - Emma Avanesyan (32)

Aruba - Anouk Eman (32)

Australia - Zoe Creed (23)

Bahamas - Selvinique Wright (32)

Bahrain - Shereen Ahmed (30)

Bangladesh - Aniqa Alam (32)

Belarus - Eleanora Kachalovskaya (24)

Belgium - Kenza Ameloot (22)

Belize - Halima Hoy (30)

Bolivia - Juliana Barrientos (27)

Bonaire - Ruby Pouchet (29)

Botswana - Thanolo Keutwile (28)

Brazil - Luana Cavalcante (25)

British Virgin Islands - Deyounce Lowenfield (20)

Bulgaria - Elena Vian (38)

Cambodia - Davin Prasath (33)

Cameroon - Noura Njikam (25)

Canada - Ashley Callingbull (35)

Cayman Islands - Raegan Rutty (22)

Chile - Emilia Dides (25)

China - Jia Qi (26)

Colombia - Daniela Toloza (30)

Costa Rica - Elena Hidalgo (32)

Croatia - Zrinka Coric (23)

Cuba - Marianela Ancheta (31)

Curaçao - Kimberly de Boer (19)

Cyprus - Katerina Dimitriou (29)

Czech Republic - Marie Danci (28)

Denmark - Victoria Kjær Theilvig (21)

Dominican Republic - Celinee Santos (24)

DR Congo - Ilda Amani (26)

Ecuador - Tema Mara (30)

Egypt - Logina Salah (34)

El Salvador - Florence Garcia (26)

Eritrea - Cortar Tewoldemedhin (25)

Equatorial Guinea - Diana Angono Mouhafo (25)

Estonia - Valeria Vasilieva (22)

Fiji - Manshika Prasad (24)

Finland - Matilda Wirtavuori (24)

France - Indira Ampiot (20)

Germany - Pia Theissen (26)

Gibraltar - Shyanne McIntosh (25)

Great Britain - Christina Dela Cruz Chalk (31)

Greece - Christianna Katsieri (22)

Guadaloupe - Coraly Desplan (20)

Guatemala - Ana Gabriela Villanueva (22)

Guinea - Saran Bah (29)

Guyana - Ariana Blaize (26)

Honduras - Stephanie Cam (32)

Hong Kong - Joanne Rhodes (24)

Hungary - Nora Kenez (28)

Iceland - Sóldís Vala Ívarsdóttir (18)

India - Rhea Singha (19)

Iran - Ava Vahneshan (26)

Ireland - Sofía Good (21)

Israel - Ofir Korsia (23)

Italy - Glenany Cavalcante (30)

Ivory Coast - Marie-Emmanuelle Diamala (20)

Jamaica - Rachel Silvera (25)

Japan - Kaya Chakraborty (23)

Kazakhstan - Madina Almukhanova (24)

Kenya - Irene Ng’endo (26)

Kosovo - Edona Bajrami (37)

Kyrgyzstan - Maya Turdalieva (25)

Laos - Phiranya Thipphomvong (28)

Latvia - María Vicinska (26)

Lebanon - Nada Koussa (26)

Macau - Cassandra Chiu (23)

Malaysia - Sandra Lim (23)

Maldives - Mariyam Shaina (21)

Malta - Beatrice Njoya (40)

Martinique - Catherine Edouard (25)

Mauritius - Tania René (27)

Mexico - María Fernanda Beltrán (24)

Moldovia - Djulieta Calalb (20)

Mongolia - Nominzul Zandangiin (19)

Montenegro - Rumina Ivezaj (20)

Myanmar - Thet San Andersen (27)

Namibia - Prisca Anyolo (24)

Nepal - Sampada Ghimire (23)

Netherlands - Faith Landman (28)

New Zealand - Victoria Velasquez Vincent (29)

Nicaragua - Geyssell Garcia (29)

Nigeria - Chidimma Adetshina (23)

North Macedonia - Tea Gjorgievska (21)

Norway - Lilly Sødal (21)

Pakistan - Noor Xarmina (29)

Paraguay - Naomi Mendez (32)

Peru - Tatiana Calmell (30)

Philippines - Chelsea Manalo (25)

Poland - Kasandra Zawal (29)

Portugal - Andreia Correia (26)

Puerto Rico - Jennifer Colin (36)

Romania - Loredana Salanta (32)

Russia - Valentina Alekseeva (18)

Santa Lucía - Skye Faucher (26)

Samoa - Haylanı Kuruppu (26)

Senegal - Fatou Bintou Gueye (23)

Serbia - Ivana Trisic (30)

Singapore - Charlotte Chia (26)

Slovakia - Petra Sivakova (24)

Somalia - Khadija Omar (23)

South Africa - Mia le Roux (29)

South Korea - Ariel Han (22)

Spain - Michelle Jimenez (21)

Sri Lanka - Melloney Dassanayake (25)

Suriname - Pooja Chotkan (23)

Switzerland - Laura Bircher (24)

Tanzania - Judith Ngusa (26)

Thailand - Opal Suchata Chuangsri (21)

Trinidad and Tobago - Jenelle Thongs (32)

Turkey - Ayliz Duman (20)

Turks and Caicos - Raynae Myers (23)

UAE - Emilia Dobreva (27)

Ukraine - Alina Ponomarenko (21)

Uruguay - Yanina Lucas (28)

United States - Alma Cooper (22)

US Virgin Islands - Stephany Andujar (28)

Uzbekistan - Nigina Fakhriddinova (25)

Venezuela - Ileana Márquez (28)

Vietnam - Ky Duyen Nguyen (28)

Zambia - Brandina Lubuli (28)

Zimbabwe - Sakhile Dube (28)

How many contestants will reach the Miss Universe 2024 grand final?

Of Miss Universe 2024’s 127 participants, who are already in Mexico taking part in build-up activities, only 30 will actually be involved in this weekend’s final show. This group of contestants will be chosen in a preliminary competition held on Thursday, with one of the final-show qualifier selected in a fan vote.

At the final show, the 30 semi-finalists will take part in a swimsuit round, before being reduced to 12 delegates, who will walk the catwalk in evening dress. Five finalists will then progress to a closing question-and-answer round. The winner of this deciding Q&A will be declared the new Miss Universe.

Miss Universe 2024: start time, how to watch

Hosted by former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, alongside the TV presenter Mario Lopez, the Miss Universe 2024 grand final will take place on Saturday November 16, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch the event live on Apple TV (English-language coverage) and on Telemundo (Spanish-language coverage).

Who won Miss Universe 2023?

The current Miss Universe is Sheynnis Palacios, who became Nicaragua’s first ever winner when she triumphed in San Salvador, El Salvador, 12 months ago.

News outlet Medya Ege reported Erdogan to have said, "We, as the State and Government of the Republic of Turkey, have cut off relations with Israel. We do not have any relationship with Israel at this point. Period."

Erdogan made these comments to journalists aboard his plane following his recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. Erdogan highlighted his condemnation of what he termed genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.

He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian aid and an immediate ceasefire, "As you know, intense efforts are being made to keep the pressure on Israel alive and to take coercive measures against this country on the basis of international law We show it," he is reported to have said.

At the time of writing the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv is still operating and Jerusalem has not made any official statement about Erdogan's comments.

Newsweek has reached out to the Turkish Embassy in Israel for comment by email.

Erdogan's Advocacy for Humanitarian Aid

The Turkish president has positioned himself as a vocal critic of Israel in recent years, and his latest announcement marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

He has urged the United Nations and other international bodies to take stronger action to ensure the free flow of essential supplies, including food, water, and medical resources, to those affected by the ongoing conflict.

Turkey has positioned itself as a key player in the regional efforts to provide aid to Palestinians and refugees in neighboring countries, offering both logistic support and political advocacy.

A Shift in Regional Alliances

Erdogan's declaration of severing ties with Israel also comes at a time when Turkey is seeking to strengthen its relationships with other regional powers, notably Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

His recent visits to both countries were seen as part of an effort to recalibrate Turkey's foreign policy and enhance its influence in the Middle East and Caucasus. By distancing Turkey from Israel, Erdogan is signaling a shift toward more supportive ties with nations critical of Israeli policies.

At the same time, the announcement is likely to have broader implications for the geopolitical landscape in the region, while Turkey's decision will likely reverberate through its alliances with NATO and its role in the ongoing Syrian conflict.

Turkey's foreign policy moves, especially in the context of Middle Eastern affairs, have often been a balancing act between opposing regional factions.

Turkey's Commitment to Palestinian Cause

The severing of relations with Israel is part of Turkey's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause, which has been central to Erdogan's foreign policy for over a decade.

His government has frequently denounced Israeli military actions in Gaza, calling for stronger international measures to hold Israel accountable for its treatment of Palestinians. Erdogan's rhetoric has struck a chord with many in the Muslim world, positioning Turkey as a vocal defender of Palestinian rights and a prominent advocate for ending the Israeli occupation.

While the diplomatic break with Israel may have consequences for Turkey's relations with Western allies, including the U.S., it also reflects the increasingly assertive role that Turkey is taking in shaping Middle Eastern geopolitics.

 

• If that plan targets undocumented workers and temporary workers in addition to migrants who have recently crossed the border, the construction industry will be hit hard, as will housing and agriculture sectors.
• By one estimate from an immigration policy group, GDP could shrink by $1.1 trillion to $1.7 trillion, but in his recent comments Trump has also said his plan will bring more businesses into the country and the U.S. needs more workers to grow.

Republicans also lead the popular vote by about 4 million votes, with 95 percent of votes counted.

So, how do these results compare to 2020, and which states have shifted most to the right?

 

States ranked from most red to most blue

The Republicans won majorities in 31 out of the country’s 50 states with their biggest victories in Wyoming (72.3 percent), West Virginia (70.1 percent), North Dakota (67.5 percent), Idaho (66.8 percent) and Oklahoma (66.1 percent).

Meanwhile, the Democrats won 19 states as well as the capital DC where they received 92.4 percent of votes, followed by Vermont (64.3 percent), Maryland (61.5 percent), Massachusetts (61.2 percent) and Hawaii (60.6 percent).

The table below shows each state’s results, from the most Republican votes to the least with 95 percent of votes reported nationwide.

 

The table below shows each state’s results, from the most Republican votes to the least with 95 percent of votes reported nationwide.

Battleground state results

Leading up to the November 5 elections, pollsters identified seven battleground states with polls within a few percentage points, making them too close to call.

In the US Electoral College, a candidate needs at least 270 out of 538 Electoral votes to win the presidency.

Each state is allocated a certain number of Electoral votes based on its population. Some states consistently favour one party, making them safe for either Democrats or Republicans, while “battleground” or “swing states” can shift, making them crucial in deciding the election.

The seven battleground states, totalling 93 Electoral votes, included:

Pennsylvania (19), Georgia (16), North Carolina (16), Michigan (15), Arizona (11), Wisconsin (10) and Nevada (6).

US election results: 2020 v 2024

In 2020, Democrats, led by Joe Biden, won 306 electoral votes across 25 states and the capital, Washington, DC, while Trump secured 232 by winning the remaining 25 states.

In 2024, Donald Trump’s Republican party flipped six states to win the 2024 election.

All 50 states shifted red in 2024

Republicans have won a larger share of votes in every state in 2024 compared to 2020, with 95 percent of votes counted nationwide.

In the 2020 election, Trump received 37.74 percent of the vote in New York, while Biden secured 60.87 percent. However, in 2024, Trump earned 44.17 percent of the vote, compared to 55.83 percent for Harris. This marks the biggest shift, with a 6.43 percent change, and nearly 97 percent of the vote counted.

Other notable swings to the right include New Jersey (4.92 percent), Florida (4.88 percent), California (4.61 percent) and Massachusetts (4.38 percent).

The map below shows the percentage shift in each state across the country.

Free Online Courses Offered by MIT

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MIT's commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education is evident through its diverse academic programs and extensive online course offerings.

Whether you’re interested in computer science, business, humanities, art, science, health, data science, mathematics, social sciences, or education, Harvard offers courses that cater to diverse interests and fields of study. Let’s explore 30 of these enriching courses that you can start today to expand your knowledge and skills.

 

30 free online courses you can take from Harvard

Harvard Free Courses on Computer Science & Programming  

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Dive into fundamental concepts like algorithms and web development.

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Computer Science & Programming Learn to design web apps using Django, React, and Bootstrap.

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Harvard Free Courses on Business

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These courses offer a diverse range of topics across various disciplines, providing valuable insights and skills for learners of all backgrounds.

The suspect, who was positioned on top of a structure, was swiftly neutralized following the attack.Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt on Saturday, days before he was to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. A barrage of gunfire set off panic, and a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance.

 

https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1812298162398437464

 

Trump’s campaign said the presumptive GOP nominee was doing “fine” after the shooting, which he said pierced the upper part of his right ear. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place,” he wrote on his social media site.

At least one attendee was dead and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter — who it said attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue, a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania — and that Trump was safe.

 

https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1812327502028669328

 

The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It drew new attention to concerns about political violence in a deeply polarized U.S. less than four months before the presidential election. And it could alter the tenor and security posture at the Republican National Convention, which will begin on Monday in Milwaukee.

Trump’s campaign said the convention would proceed as planned. President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, was briefed on the incident and spoke to Trump several hours after the shooting, the White House said. “There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” the president said in public remarks. “It’s sick. It’s sick.” Biden planned to return to Washington early, cutting short a weekend at his beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

 

 

 

The two were sentenced to 14 years in jail each by an accountability court on January 31 for alleged corruption in state gifts they got from the state depository, days before the general elections.

They challenged the conviction in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) where a two-member bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case.

On Monday, the IHC gave temporary relief to the couple in the case by suspending their sentences and granting them bail in the case.

However, the court announced that their appeals against the conviction would be heard after the Eid festival next month.

But, Khan may not be released as he is convicted in other cases and cannot be released until absolved from charges in other cases. Similarly, Bushra is also convicted in another case and may not be released after her sentence has been suspended.

In the Toshakhana corruption case, the 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician is accused of retaining expensive state gifts they received during his tenure as Pakistan's premier.

Under the rules governing Toshakhana -- a Persian word meaning treasure house -- government officials can keep gifts by paying a price for them but first the gift should be deposited. Khan and his wife either failed to deposit the gift or got it for a low price by allegedly using their authority.

The conviction of Khan in the Toshakhana case came a day after he was awarded 10 years in jail in the cipher case on January 30.

Earlier, he was also convicted in a different Toshakhana case in August 2023, leading to his arrest.

The latest conviction was based on the charges of misusing his authority as prime minister to retain gifts he or his spouse got during his tenure. It was filed by the National Accountability Bureau.

The previous Toshakhana graft case was filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan in the charges of hiring the sale of state gifts.

So far, Khan has been convicted in four different cases since losing power in April 2022. He has got bail in both Toshakhana cases.

 

 

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